TAPROOT THEATRE COMPANY "Murder On The Links" July 9 - August 30, 2025 Review
MURDER ON THE LINKS
By Steven Dietz
Directed by Karen Lund
Taproot Theatre Company
Seattle, WA
Review: Friday 7/18/25 - 7:30pm Performance
I went into the latest production at Taproot Theatre with a bit of trepidation. The previous show that shared some of the same characters/actors a few years back was not my favorite play. The performances were quality but the show itself was lackluster.
I’m happy to report that “Murder On The Links” not only features quality performances but a quality show as well.
When I glanced at the cast I realized I had seen all six actors in other shows around town, including at Taproot Theatre. Not only that but a few of the understudies are top actors, too. In other words, the cast was not going to be in question for this production.
Actors One (Jeff Allen Pierce), Two (Betsy Mugavera), Three (Tyler Todd Kimmel), and Four (Claire Marx) get the fun of playing multiple characters throughout the show. I personally enjoy it when an actor gets to perform in this way. I marvel at their talent, their ability to pull off multiple accents, and still hit their marks in stride.
Hercule Poirot (Richard Nguyen Sloniker) and Captain Hastings (Nathan Brockett) are once again on the path to solve a crime that is not what it seems. The story is a bit hectic at times, possibly on purpose, but it was a journey the audience was ready and most importantly willing to take.
As I mentioned earlier, the performances were top tier with this show. The cast worked well together and each actor had their moment(s) to shine throughout the show.
Act II started off with possibly the loudest laughter of the evening as director Karen Lund let the audience in on the casting “in joke” of one actor playing multiple parts. Similar spots were sprinkled throughout the second act to great effect. I would have liked to have seen perhaps one of these moments in the first act but I can see both ways why that wasn’t done. In any event, the laughs were loud and noticeable in the second act.
“Murder On The Links” will delight audiences with its approach and its delivery from everyone on and off the stage.
”Murder On The Links” has been extended through August 30th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
By Steven Dietz
Directed by Karen Lund
Taproot Theatre Company
Seattle, WA
Review: Friday 7/18/25 - 7:30pm Performance
(From left to right: Nathan Brockett as Captain Hastings, Richard Nguyen Sloniker as Hercule Poirot, Jeff Allen Pierce as Actor One, Betsy Mugavero as Actor Two, and Tyler Todd Kimmel as Actor Three in Taproot’s production of Murder on the Links (July 2025). Photo by Robert Wade.)
I went into the latest production at Taproot Theatre with a bit of trepidation. The previous show that shared some of the same characters/actors a few years back was not my favorite play. The performances were quality but the show itself was lackluster.
I’m happy to report that “Murder On The Links” not only features quality performances but a quality show as well.
When I glanced at the cast I realized I had seen all six actors in other shows around town, including at Taproot Theatre. Not only that but a few of the understudies are top actors, too. In other words, the cast was not going to be in question for this production.
Actors One (Jeff Allen Pierce), Two (Betsy Mugavera), Three (Tyler Todd Kimmel), and Four (Claire Marx) get the fun of playing multiple characters throughout the show. I personally enjoy it when an actor gets to perform in this way. I marvel at their talent, their ability to pull off multiple accents, and still hit their marks in stride.
Hercule Poirot (Richard Nguyen Sloniker) and Captain Hastings (Nathan Brockett) are once again on the path to solve a crime that is not what it seems. The story is a bit hectic at times, possibly on purpose, but it was a journey the audience was ready and most importantly willing to take.
As I mentioned earlier, the performances were top tier with this show. The cast worked well together and each actor had their moment(s) to shine throughout the show.
Act II started off with possibly the loudest laughter of the evening as director Karen Lund let the audience in on the casting “in joke” of one actor playing multiple parts. Similar spots were sprinkled throughout the second act to great effect. I would have liked to have seen perhaps one of these moments in the first act but I can see both ways why that wasn’t done. In any event, the laughs were loud and noticeable in the second act.
“Murder On The Links” will delight audiences with its approach and its delivery from everyone on and off the stage.
”Murder On The Links” has been extended through August 30th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
(Jeff Allen Pierce as Actor One (left), Nathan Brockett as Captain Hastings (middle), and Richard Nguyen Sloniker as Hercule Poirot (right) in Taproot’s production of Murder on the Links (July 2025). Photo by Robert Wade.)
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